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- Title
- Stuck in Stockholm: examining sexual harassment and COVID-19 related factors as predictors of Stockholm Syndrome in the workplace.
- Author
- Hurley, Kenzie Joy, University of West Florida, University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
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The researcher investigated whether personality type and learning style predicted performance in distance education. Thirty-four participants from 3 sections of Art Humanities completed online the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Learning Styles Inventory. Using regression analysis, it was determined that neither personality type nor learning style had a statistically significant effect on student performance in this setting. However, the data did reveal some apparent self-selection of the...
Show moreThe researcher investigated whether personality type and learning style predicted performance in distance education. Thirty-four participants from 3 sections of Art Humanities completed online the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Learning Styles Inventory. Using regression analysis, it was determined that neither personality type nor learning style had a statistically significant effect on student performance in this setting. However, the data did reveal some apparent self-selection of the learning environment. Sensors outrepresented Intuitives by a large scale, identifying further areas for research. A binomial test was used to prove these results were not random. As some scholars have noted, COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequities and economic insecurities that increase the risk of harassment. Sexual harassment (SH) involves conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating or hostile work environment or interferes with an individual's job performance. This speculated increase in SH due to COVID-19 could relate to an increase in Stockholm syndrome (SS) among essential workers, as many essential workers may stay at their workplace due to benefits (e.g., finances, healthcare) despite having experienced abuse. As such, the current study applies Stockholm syndrome as a framework to examine the potential relationship between SH and SS, and the effects that various factors (e.g., essential worker status, source of harassment) have on this relationship. One-hundred and twelve participants completed online surveys using Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Analyses revealed a positive relationship between SH and SS. Furthermore, essential workers reported higher levels of both SH and SS than their non-essential counterparts. This thesis bridges the gap between SH and domestic violence literature, such that it is the first to apply the SS framework to workplace instances of SH. Future research calls for examining the influence of race and power in influencing this relationship, as well as examining the long-term effects of feelings of SS in the workplace.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021, 2021.
- Identifier
- 1319438744, WFE0000798
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- BWF2002-012: Milton, Florida: a perfect place to live and work.
- Author
- Thompson, Guy R.
- Abstract/Description
-
Presentation by Mayor Guy Thompson, designed to be shown to prospective businesses and investors; covers labor force, demographics, education, business district, taxes and incentives, quality of life, transportation, utilities, key industries, with a list of commercial properties available for sale as of April 2002..
- Date Issued
- 2002 April
- Identifier
- BWF2002-12
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- BWF2012-035: Pensacola Culture and History, Market Potential Study.
- Author
- Majority Opinion Research
- Abstract/Description
-
Study done for the University of West Florida. Tabulation of telephone interviews with 1800 individuals about estimating their likely visitation to Pensacola as tourists, dependent on local investments in historic bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, a ferry system, a trolley system, and reverting streets to brick and cobblestone.
- Date Issued
- 2012 October
- Identifier
- BWF2012-035
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- BWF2012-034: Cultural Tourism and the Escambia Economy: an economic impact assessment.
- Author
- Haas Center
- Abstract/Description
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Study of potential cultural tourism efforts in Pensacola, including comparison of age groups that travel, visitor predictions, spending patterns, effects on bed tax and sales tax, and local economic impacts. Prepared for University of West Florida which was considering a hotel/convention center on campus along with historic bed and breakfast efforts, boutique hotel support, and other cultural tourism investments.
- Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- BWF2012-034
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Hall of Brotherhood Fundraising Booklet.
- Author
- Wallace Bruce
- Abstract/Description
-
Booklet published to encourage fundraising for the Hall of Brotherhood to be built in DeFuniak Springs, Florida as part of the Florida Chautauqua. Notes that the dome will be dedicated to the Soldiers and Sailors of the Republic, and the Lantern above the dome to the Light of Christian Faith. Each of the pillars and columns will be named for distinguished individuals in various fields. The eastern wing (left) will be named the Hall of Scottish Literature with appropriately named columns. A...
Show moreBooklet published to encourage fundraising for the Hall of Brotherhood to be built in DeFuniak Springs, Florida as part of the Florida Chautauqua. Notes that the dome will be dedicated to the Soldiers and Sailors of the Republic, and the Lantern above the dome to the Light of Christian Faith. Each of the pillars and columns will be named for distinguished individuals in various fields. The eastern wing (left) will be named the Hall of Scottish Literature with appropriately named columns. A list of donors and names of columns selected is included (patrons include United States Senators, J. Ogden Armour, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and others. While undated, probably published later in 1899 as excerpts of Senator John B. Gordon's dedication speech of the cornerstone (March 1899) are included. Probably published by Bruce at his publishing house in Brooklyn (Bryant Union) as typeface and characteristics of printing are similar to other publications of that company.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1899
- Identifier
- 9704hallofbrotherhoodfundraisingbooklet
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Hall of Brotherhood (DeFuniak Springs, FL) Architectural Drawings.
- Author
- Wallace Bruce, William Dreyer
- Abstract/Description
-
Architectural drawings of the front, side, and back of the proposed Hall of Brotherhood building, drawn by William Dreyer, a Pensacola, Florida architect. Drawings show the columned front, the side view with the auditorium in the back, and the back view of the building showing drain pipes. Originals are from the Wallace Bruce Family Papers (Collection M1997-04), University Archives and West Florida History Center, University of West Florida Libraries, Pensacola. Dating of blueprints is based...
Show moreArchitectural drawings of the front, side, and back of the proposed Hall of Brotherhood building, drawn by William Dreyer, a Pensacola, Florida architect. Drawings show the columned front, the side view with the auditorium in the back, and the back view of the building showing drain pipes. Originals are from the Wallace Bruce Family Papers (Collection M1997-04), University Archives and West Florida History Center, University of West Florida Libraries, Pensacola. Dating of blueprints is based that on March 25, 1899 a special ceremony was held whereby United States Senator John B. Gordon and Wallace Bruce laid the corner-stone of the future Hall of Brotherhood on a day that Bruce called "National Day." [information from the Program of the Florida Chautauqua, 1899. [Our Fifteenth Year, 1884-1899] notes events of March 25, 1899, titled “National Day.” Bruce may have called this day ‘National Day’ because it was that holiday in Scotland, and nicely coincided with the plans to dedicate the corner-stone of the new ‘national’ building. See also advertisement for the Florida Chautauqua March 25 th events, Pensacola News, March 22, 23, 1899.]
Show less - Date Issued
- 1899
- Identifier
- 9704BruceHallofBrotherhoodArchitecturalDrawings
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- St. Joseph's Seamen's Cemetery: An investigation of a cemetery section for red snapper fishermen.
- Author
- DuBose, Michael Lane
- Abstract/Description
-
The Seamen's Cemetery is a section of St. Joseph's Cemetery dedicated mostly to red snapper fishermen of Pensacola, Florida, and reflects aspects of those men. The cemetery provides a sample of names which allowed for an in-depth analysis of the fishermen. Organizations that contributed to the formation of the cemetery and the fishermen themselves are investigated through both historical documentation and the physical components of the cemetery. The Pensacola Fishermen's Benevolent...
Show moreThe Seamen's Cemetery is a section of St. Joseph's Cemetery dedicated mostly to red snapper fishermen of Pensacola, Florida, and reflects aspects of those men. The cemetery provides a sample of names which allowed for an in-depth analysis of the fishermen. Organizations that contributed to the formation of the cemetery and the fishermen themselves are investigated through both historical documentation and the physical components of the cemetery. The Pensacola Fishermen's Benevolent Association, a fishermen's union, was the most active organization contributing to the cemetery. Working in the interests of the fishermen, actions of the union indicated that the fishermen particularly valued their income, reputation in society, and burials. During the course of this thesis, conservation efforts restored the cemetery closer to its original appearance. These conservation efforts allowed the author to explore how the cemetery expressed the values of the fishermen concerning burials of their comrades, specifically the values of having a body to bury and equality in remembrance. Furthermore, the fishermen of the cemetery were analyzed through personal documentation to understand their life, ethnic composition, and death of the red snapper fishermen of Pensacola.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020, 2020
- Identifier
- 1201542226, WFE0000712
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Decontextualized skill-cueing: teaching the overarm throw to music with counts.
- Author
- Atwood, Kym Yvonne
- Abstract/Description
-
The overarm throw is a difficult multi-limb task because the overarm throw requires synchronized dexterity of the entire body. Research has determined that the inability to throw hinders children's participation in physical activities. The dynamic systems theory, which describes the interactions and processes that manipulate development, framed this quantitative study to investigate the effects of overarm throw instruction without a ball accompanied by verbal, directional cueing set to music...
Show moreThe overarm throw is a difficult multi-limb task because the overarm throw requires synchronized dexterity of the entire body. Research has determined that the inability to throw hinders children's participation in physical activities. The dynamic systems theory, which describes the interactions and processes that manipulate development, framed this quantitative study to investigate the effects of overarm throw instruction without a ball accompanied by verbal, directional cueing set to music with counts (decontextualized skill-cueing). A repeatedmeasures analysis of variance analyzed the process scores of the overarm throw for accuracy across three periods for 78 girls and boys in kindergarten and first and second grades. Data analysis found the main effect comparing the genders was significant, indicating a difference in the process scores between genders across the three periods. Descriptive statistics indicated the means for both sets of participants gradually increased after the pretest through the posttest and the retention test with the highest mean at retention test; yet, the means for the female participants were not as high on any test as were the means for the male participants. Further, the main effect between the control and treatment groups was also significant. Both groups' process scores increased over time from pretest to posttest; however, the control group's scores decreased during the retention test, as evidenced by the means and standard deviations. The study upholds the dynamic systems theory constructs that posit the body's multiple physiological components combine to create over-time skill variability in the body relative to the task, individual, and environment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021
- Identifier
- 1298724934, WFE0000797
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Exploring elementary teachers' efficacy experiences with using a reading workshop instructional method.
- Author
- Rio, Hayley Harrison
- Abstract/Description
-
Many teachers encounter low efficacy resulting in difficulty providing effective instruction, low levels of job satisfaction, and a greater chance of depression (Bandura, 1993; Cansoy & Parlar, 2018; Chung & Chen, 2018). The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study was to explore the efficacy experiences of elementary reading teachers who use a reading workshop instructional method at selected schools in the Southeast of the United States. Five elementary reading...
Show moreMany teachers encounter low efficacy resulting in difficulty providing effective instruction, low levels of job satisfaction, and a greater chance of depression (Bandura, 1993; Cansoy & Parlar, 2018; Chung & Chen, 2018). The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study was to explore the efficacy experiences of elementary reading teachers who use a reading workshop instructional method at selected schools in the Southeast of the United States. Five elementary reading teachers from three different schools shared their experiences through semistructured one-on-one interviews and a focus group session. The interview questions targeted the constructs of Bandura's (1993, 1997) self-efficacy theory, which was developed to explain human behavior. The interview questions explored mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion experiences, and elementary reading teachers' physiological and affective states while using a reading workshop instructional method. Themes of professional growth, student growth and motivation, mentors, collaboration, feedback, and enjoyment and fulfillment emerged. The study concludes that (a) teachers are willing to work hard and persevere with challenging instructional methods if they perceive them to be beneficial, (b) efficacy for teaching reading through a reading workshop instructional approach grows over time, (c) teachers push themselves to continue to learn when their administrators respect them as professionals, (d) teachers can gain vicarious experiences through conversation, and (e) teachers' attitudes and feelings may transfer to their students. Future research could explore teachers' efficacy experiences in other content areas such as math and science in secondary schools, and investigate the intersection of instructional methods and teacher efficacy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021
- Identifier
- 1298723737, WFE0000796
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Machine learning guided by linguistic and behavioral knowledge.
- Author
- Rahgooy, Taher
- Abstract/Description
-
The recent success of AI has been primarily driven by the extraordinary progress in the field of machine learning. The ultimate goal of machine learning is to develop algorithms capable of making accurate predictions in an explainable way by learning efficiently from a small amount of training data. Despite an exceptionally fast-paced growth, machine learning has been exceedingly successful in achieving accurate predictions, at the cost of sacrificing most of, if not all, explainability and...
Show moreThe recent success of AI has been primarily driven by the extraordinary progress in the field of machine learning. The ultimate goal of machine learning is to develop algorithms capable of making accurate predictions in an explainable way by learning efficiently from a small amount of training data. Despite an exceptionally fast-paced growth, machine learning has been exceedingly successful in achieving accurate predictions, at the cost of sacrificing most of, if not all, explainability and by relying on huge amount of training data. Recent work has, on the other hand, shown that domain knowledge, when properly incorporated in learning algorithms, can facilitate learning from small data sets and provide various forms of explainability. In this dissertation, I propose novel ways of incorporating linguistic and behavioral knowledge into machine learning models for achieving different goals such as improving prediction accuracy, using less data, increase explainability, and evaluating cognitive biases. We exemplify our novel approaches on some challenging tasks that require special treatment either due to lack of data and/or need for explainable predictions. We first consider extracting spatial relations from language, which is a complex task due to the ambiguity of spatial relations and scarcity of available training data. To this end, we use linguistic knowledge to define various constraints imposed on classifiers to infer the correct classifications holistically. Human choice prediction is the other domain that we consider because of the fundamental role it plays in the understanding of human behavior and in the design of intelligent systems. We propose novel methods to leverage procedural knowledge, in the form of psychological models of decision making, in combination with machine learning, to achieve better predictions, understand the underlying deliberation processes, and elicit user preferences. Finally, we extend our work to the domain of sequential decision making by designing agents that learn constraints from demonstrations and then use cognitive models as orchestrators to exploit these learned constraints for making choices between conflicting goals. We use various real world and synthetic data to evaluate our proposed methods throughout this dissertation. Our experimental results show the efficacy of our methods which significantly improves upon the state-of-the-art in all of the considered tasks.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021
- Identifier
- 1298723050, WFE0000795
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relationship between test-taker characteristics and initial teacher certification examination performance.
- Author
- Stevenson, Nathan James
- Abstract/Description
-
Basic teacher certification examinations serve as the primary tool for assessing the academic readiness of candidates to enter teacher education programs in many parts of the United States. However, data indicate that teacher examinations disproportionately hinder diverse individuals. Current research has linked Florida's General Knowledge, Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) with the stagnation of qualified teacher education applicants but has failed to investigate the...
Show moreBasic teacher certification examinations serve as the primary tool for assessing the academic readiness of candidates to enter teacher education programs in many parts of the United States. However, data indicate that teacher examinations disproportionately hinder diverse individuals. Current research has linked Florida's General Knowledge, Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) with the stagnation of qualified teacher education applicants but has failed to investigate the examination specifically. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between test-taker characteristics and the number of attempts test-takers required to pass the General Knowledge FTCE at a Southeastern U.S. public university. Astin's (1993) input-environment-outcome (I-E-O) model guided the study by suggesting test-taker characteristics may be related to the test-taker outcome of passing the General Knowledge FTCE. I utilized Spearman's rank-order correlation and Pearson's chisquare test to analyze the relationship between academic and demographic characteristics of the sample (N = 623) and the number of General Knowledge FTCE attempts. The study did not find a statistically significant relationship or difference between grade point average (GPA), firsttime-in-college (FTIC) status, transfer status, or gender and the number of General Knowledge FTCE attempts. A small negative monotonic relationship between age and the number of General Knowledge FTCE attempts and a statistically significant difference between race and the number of test attempts were found. I discuss implications pertaining to the need for further research on the relationship between age and teacher certification examination success, alternative teacher certification assessments, and General Knowledge FTCE score reporting.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298717951, WFE0000794
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Air traffic control specialists' perceptions of simulation for developing job-related competencies.
- Author
- Harris, Colin Alwin
- Abstract/Description
-
Inexperienced and poorly trained Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) contribute to aircraft accidents and other serious aviation mishaps, which negatively impact human safety, the environment, government and personal property, and the efficient and smooth operation of the National Airspace System (NAS). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can help remedy this problem by ensuring that ATCSs receive academic and simulator competency-based training. The purpose of this qualitative...
Show moreInexperienced and poorly trained Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) contribute to aircraft accidents and other serious aviation mishaps, which negatively impact human safety, the environment, government and personal property, and the efficient and smooth operation of the National Airspace System (NAS). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can help remedy this problem by ensuring that ATCSs receive academic and simulator competency-based training. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to understand how ATCSs at an air traffic facility in the southeastern region of the United States (U.S.) described their experiences with the ATCoach simulation training (ATCoach) in developing job-related competencies. I employed Bloom et al.'s (1956) taxonomy of the cognitive domain and its six classifications (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) to frame and align the study's research questions and interview questions to determine if five ATCSs perceived simulation as a valuable instructional method. Participants revealed that the ATCoach experiences is a valuable instructional method for enhancing ATC professionals' knowledge and skill levels by preparing them to transfer previous knowledge to practice in dayto-day ATC operations and improve their judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills--not their self-confidence. However, the simulator's physical fidelity limitations had an adverse influence on participants' learning experience. The findings, therefore, indicate ATC knowledge does not necessarily occur during the ATCoach but instead during previous classroom learning or experience. Future research should evaluate the entire ATC training program taking a learner from Certified Professional Controllers in Training (CPC-IT) status to Certified Professional Controllers (CPC).
Show less - Identifier
- 1298604671, WFE0000793
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Stem field preparedness: comparing the effects of early learning environments.
- Author
- Piper, Kareem David
- Abstract/Description
-
Minority underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) perpetuates the income inequality that minorities experience and leads to a lack of diversity in STEM. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to examine the effect of student demographics, STEM, science technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), and traditional middle school learning environments on student preparedness for the STEM fields as measured by student test scores on the...
Show moreMinority underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) perpetuates the income inequality that minorities experience and leads to a lack of diversity in STEM. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to examine the effect of student demographics, STEM, science technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), and traditional middle school learning environments on student preparedness for the STEM fields as measured by student test scores on the eighth-grade Florida Standards Assessment in math (EGFSAM), in an urban school district in South Florida. I adopted Bandura's (1977) social cognitive theory (SCT), consisting of reciprocal causation elements that stimulate learning as follows: "action" school designation, "interpersonal factors," student test scores and demographics, and "environment" type of learning environment. A hierarchical multiple linear regression analyzed the data (n = 597). Four major results are female students outperform male students by 5.309 points, t(1) = 2.967, p = .003; STEM middle school students underperform traditional middle school students (TPMS) with -10.481 points, t(1) = - 4.838, p < .00; STEM middle school students demonstrate the highest unique variance on the DV, (-.195)2 = 4%, p = .000; and only STEM middle school students demonstrate a statistically significant underperformance. Overall, Model 2 (i.e., all triadic elements) is a better indicator of 21stcentury preparedness. The results indicate minority students' 21st-century preparedness occurs at traditional public middle schools, which makes minority students' mathematical aptitude regardless of school type critical. Future research should examine the relationships between minority students' math self-efficacy and actual STEM field preparedness.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021
- Identifier
- 1298604580, WFE0000792
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Evaluating critical initiatives related to climate at a high-poverty middle school.
- Author
- Taylor, Douglas Anthony
- Abstract/Description
-
McMillan Public Schools (MPS) is a public school system in the southeastern part of the United States that serves approximately 28,000 students. Gregory Middle School (GMS) is one of 52 schools within MPS that serves 985 students. I used MPS and GMS as pseudonyms to anonymize the school system and school. In July 2019, I was appointed as the principal of GMS, and I quickly implemented critical initiatives related to the climate. School climate is defined as the prevailing atmosphere within...
Show moreMcMillan Public Schools (MPS) is a public school system in the southeastern part of the United States that serves approximately 28,000 students. Gregory Middle School (GMS) is one of 52 schools within MPS that serves 985 students. I used MPS and GMS as pseudonyms to anonymize the school system and school. In July 2019, I was appointed as the principal of GMS, and I quickly implemented critical initiatives related to the climate. School climate is defined as the prevailing atmosphere within the school, which encompasses physical, academic, and social dimensions (McGiboney, 2016). Based on data from the 2018-2019 school term, it was clear that the school's climate required immediate attention. All available data sources were reviewed, including student discipline reports (MPS, 2020a), stakeholder surveys (Cognia, 2019), and the school report card (State Department of Education, 2019). Each area of concern contributed to a negative school climate and created an environment that was not conducive for teaching and learning. The leadership team implemented critical initiatives in the areas of (a) human resources, (b) student discipline, (c) student safety, (d) school operations, and (e) school facilities. This program evaluation identified (a) the strengths, (b) the weaknesses, (c) the opportunities, and (d) the threats (SWOT) of the critical initiatives implemented at GMS related to the school's climate during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school terms. After conducting a literature review, I adopted the learning organization evaluation (LOE) conceptual framework paired with SWOT analysis, which provided a formal structure for conducting my program evaluation. The LOE is composed of four major steps, including (a) focusing the evaluative inquiry, (b) carrying out the inquiry, (c) implementing inquiry activities, and (d) applying learning (Preskill & Torres, 1999). Collaborative learning and evaluative inquiry guide the LOE conceptual framework. The LOE model facilitates success for organizations that wish to study internal processes or procedures. The LOE model is a systematic series of steps that should be followed when conducting a program evaluation (Preskill & Torres, 1999). I paired the LOE with a convergent parallel design (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). Next, I invited the current faculty and staff employed during the 2019-2020 school term to participate in the program evaluation. A coinvestigator conducted the qualitative focus group interviews on two separate occasions. The coinvestigator ensured employee anonymity. Twenty-one faculty and staff members participated in the focus group interviews. I utilized deductive content analysis to analyze the focus group interviews. Additionally, I distributed the quantitative research instruments via Qualtrics, and I received 31 responses. The small sample size was a limitation. As a result, inferential statistics were not possible. Because qualitative and quantitative research represent data differently, I developed joint display matrices to merge the information from both data sources. To sufficiently answer the evaluation questions, I created four main categories based on the (a) strengths, (b) weaknesses, (c) opportunities, and (d) threats of the critical initiatives related to the change in the school's climate. Based on each main category, I created categories in alignment with the definition of school climate. Despite the recent improvement in the climate of the school, it remains an area of concern. While I noted improvement in many areas, the results revealed a need for further intervention in some areas. To further school improvement efforts, I developed a continuous improvement plan (CIP) based on the results of the SWOT analysis. The CIP will include critical initiatives for each area in order to facilitate success. I will communicate the results to the faculty and staff of GMS and school system administrators in a series of future round table discussions and professional development sessions.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298604390, WFE0000791
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Academic achievement of black males in a rural middle school.
- Author
- Bozeman, Tonya Dukes
- Abstract/Description
-
Educational statistics have consistently recorded low academic performance for Black male students, particularly those in high-poverty settings. Research studies have documented that very few Black male students can perform at the level of their counterparts from other racial categories. Circumstances such as poverty, deprivation, and lack of mentorship affect Black males' academic achievement and underachievement. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive study was to explore the lived...
Show moreEducational statistics have consistently recorded low academic performance for Black male students, particularly those in high-poverty settings. Research studies have documented that very few Black male students can perform at the level of their counterparts from other racial categories. Circumstances such as poverty, deprivation, and lack of mentorship affect Black males' academic achievement and underachievement. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive study was to explore the lived experiences of select Black male students who have been academically successful at a high-poverty rural middle school in the Southern United States. I used, per Bandura's (1977) social cognitive theory (SCT), the framework of the study, human learning and development occur through personal experiences and examination of the actions of others. I explored how behavioral, personal, and environmental factors interact to affect the selfefficacy of 12 Black male students in the school setting. Findings revealed participants perceived positive family support, positive friend or peer network, positive teacher influence, and positive self-image as supportive factors that contributed to their academic success. This study shifts the focus from Black male deficiencies to emphasizing their achievements and how internal factors such as self-perception, attitude, and self-confidence outweigh external factors such as low socioeconomic factors and lack of mentors that could reduce opportunities for success. Study participants' desires for academic achievement created a transformative bridge between their self-efficacious beliefs and their drive for education. Future research should continue to focus on understanding the contributing factors to young Black males' school success and giving them positive voices.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298604350, WFE0000790
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Side channel attacks and device vulnerabilities: methodologies of attack and prevention.
- Author
- Easley, Ronda Rae
- Abstract/Description
-
Side channel attacks are methods by which the encrypted data on a device or network can be obtained through observation and manipulation of the unintended outputs of the device such as power or electromagnetic radiation fluctuations, timing variances, or even discrepancies in sound or acoustic levels while the device is processing cryptographic functions. These attacks have become more prevalent as internet-of-things (IoT) devices have become more commonplace. Often the priorities in the...
Show moreSide channel attacks are methods by which the encrypted data on a device or network can be obtained through observation and manipulation of the unintended outputs of the device such as power or electromagnetic radiation fluctuations, timing variances, or even discrepancies in sound or acoustic levels while the device is processing cryptographic functions. These attacks have become more prevalent as internet-of-things (IoT) devices have become more commonplace. Often the priorities in the manufacture of such devices are compact size and low power consumption. Meeting these design parameters leads builders to insert less security measures into both the device hardware and the encryption software. Prior research details both the attack methods and countermeasure strategies that can be deployed during the design phase to offer higher security to the device. The research within this thesis defines and details the known methods of side channel attacks and identifies the intrinsic vulnerabilities of specific device types and encryption methods. This work further offers a tabular representation of the research which can be utilized by builders to identify vulnerabilities and recognize appropriate countermeasures.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298604408, WFE0000789
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Thermal tolerances and preferences of adolescent Louisiana alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).
- Author
- Lawrence, Tyler James
- Abstract/Description
-
With global temperatures achieving new extremes each year, it is not immediately clear the effect these temperatures will have on American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Thermal tolerances have been estimated on American alligators before, but a full thermal niche has never been determined. An eccritic temperature, thermal preference, has been estimated for alligators, but results have varied. I used standardized thermal methodologies to estimate acclimation ranges, upper and lower...
Show moreWith global temperatures achieving new extremes each year, it is not immediately clear the effect these temperatures will have on American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Thermal tolerances have been estimated on American alligators before, but a full thermal niche has never been determined. An eccritic temperature, thermal preference, has been estimated for alligators, but results have varied. I used standardized thermal methodologies to estimate acclimation ranges, upper and lower acclimation response ratios, thermal niche areas, and the eccritic temperature in adolescent alligators. Alligators had an upper chronic limit of 39.1°C and a lower chronic limit of 16.2°C. Alligators exhibited a larger gained cold tolerance zone in their niche than anticipated at 131.6°C 2 and an intrinsic tolerance and gained heat tolerance zones of 509.7°C 2 and 61.4°C 2 , respectively. Cold acclimation response ratio was roughly twice that of the heat response, with alligators losing or gaining 0.5°C or 0.2°C heat tolerance per every 1°C change in acclimation temperature. Alligators expressed an eccritic temperature of 32°C with little variation between animals. Evidence suggested there is an undescribed physiological process that allows alligators to acclimatize to lower temperatures. Comparing thermal niche and eccritic temperature data to temperature trends in alligator's natural habitat suggested that alligators could be affected by changing temperatures.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298604066, WFE0000788
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Constructions of Ramanujan graphs from classes of regular graphs.
- Author
- Beach, Ross Joseph
- Abstract/Description
-
In this paper, we are going to show the existence of Ramanujan graphs among different classes of graphs. The main areas of research surrounding these graphs consider their classification and existence for different degrees and orders. The focus of this body of work is to observe different classes of graphs, and to see if they fit the definition of Ramanujan graph under certain conditions. First, we examine whether all strongly regular graphs are Ramanujan. Then, different restrictions are...
Show moreIn this paper, we are going to show the existence of Ramanujan graphs among different classes of graphs. The main areas of research surrounding these graphs consider their classification and existence for different degrees and orders. The focus of this body of work is to observe different classes of graphs, and to see if they fit the definition of Ramanujan graph under certain conditions. First, we examine whether all strongly regular graphs are Ramanujan. Then, different restrictions are placed on the parameters of strongly regular graphs, and we explore whether those yield Ramanujan graphs. Some other results related to graph factors and some special graphs are observed as well.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298600893, WFE0000787
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A rapid structure from motion (SFM) based 3-D modeling framework using a team of autonomous small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS).
- Author
- Smith, Douglas Shane Jr.
- Abstract/Description
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This research effort develops a framework capable of cross-platform integration to develop a Structure from Motion 3-D model using a team of autonomous small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). In the development of this framework, a simulation environment with a house is used as an example of a simulated mission. The framework is composed of two major goals to accomplish this. The 3-D reconstruction software is evaluated with two separate datasets for optimization with the intent to reduce the...
Show moreThis research effort develops a framework capable of cross-platform integration to develop a Structure from Motion 3-D model using a team of autonomous small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). In the development of this framework, a simulation environment with a house is used as an example of a simulated mission. The framework is composed of two major goals to accomplish this. The 3-D reconstruction software is evaluated with two separate datasets for optimization with the intent to reduce the computational time required to build a model that is usable. One dataset is a lab controlled environment for initial observations and the other dataset is of a real world environment for applicability to hardware implementation. The priority is usability of the model and speed in reconstruction. During this evaluation, four parameters are manipulated in software for evaluation quality, image number, camera angle, and multi-view formation. An optimum set of parameters is suggested for the framework to work successfully. The Distributed Behavior Model is based on the entropy of the system where distance between the sUAS is the variable used. As the distance between each sUAS decreases, the entropy of the system also decreases. An investigation into the Distributed Model Behaviour is conducted with the intent to have a robust and scalable algorithm capable of navigating the sUAS to the desired objective. Parameters used for evaluation are (i) minimum distance between sUAS and (ii) entropy threshold. Simulations are run with 3, 5, 7, 9, 15 and 20 sUAS to confirm scalability, robustness, and threshold values. A minimum distance setting is confirmed, and a function for scaling the threshold value is determined. Finally, these two portions are combined in simulation to demonstrate the framework operability and evaluate the completeness and speed of the reconstructed model. The simulations show that the framework operates and is capable of generating complete models as desired autonomously.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298600732, WFE0000786
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Quantifying microplastics in fjords along the western Antarctic peninsula.
- Author
- Garza, Tristyn Nicole
- Abstract/Description
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Microplastic pollution is ubiquitous to water sources around the world, including freshwater, drinking water, salt water, and sea ice. Microplastics have also been documented in all parts of the water column from the sea floor and sediments to surface water. It was believed that microplastic pollution was concentrated in coastal areas with large human populations around the world. While remaining either entirely absent or minimal from remote areas where human influence is minimal such as in...
Show moreMicroplastic pollution is ubiquitous to water sources around the world, including freshwater, drinking water, salt water, and sea ice. Microplastics have also been documented in all parts of the water column from the sea floor and sediments to surface water. It was believed that microplastic pollution was concentrated in coastal areas with large human populations around the world. While remaining either entirely absent or minimal from remote areas where human influence is minimal such as in Antarctica, specifically the Antarctic Peninsula. This project determined microplastic concentration of three fjord habitats on the Western Antarctic Peninsula where glaciers are rapidly retreating within the fjords. Over a three-year period from 2017 to 2020 water samples were collected from the surface and benthos from 16 stations in Marian Cove, King George Island, Börgen Bay, Anvers Island, and Sheldon Glacier, Adelaide Island. For each station, three liters from the surface and three liters from the benthic were collected using a CTD rosette with Niskin Bottles, vacuum-filtered with a Buchner-Filter hand pump then, quantified under a compound microscope to determine the classification of microplastic, (fragment, fiber, or bead) color, and size. Comparisons over time and location were made in average microplastic per liter. It was determined that all the fjord habitats had microplastic present every year sampled, but the microplastic concentration was also increasing over time in the three fjords. This demonstrates that even with barriers such as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, plastics are present and increasing in the Western Antarctic Peninsula during this time.
Show less - Identifier
- 1298600763, WFE0000785
- Format
- Document (PDF)